Chapter 132 Hundred Fragrance Restaurant (2)

As Xia Tian and others exited the cortex in the middle of a street, the view of Etheral cloud city got clearer.

Ethereal Cloud City was a breathtaking sight that seemed to have been plucked straight from the heavens themselves. Its towering buildings, made of polished white jade, reached towards the sky, their roofs adorned with intricate carvings and shimmering tiles that caught the light in dazzling colors.

The city was built on a series of floating platforms that seemed to drift serenely on the soft, fluffy clouds that surrounded them. The clouds were imbued with an otherworldly energy, which gave them a faint, ethereal glow and a soft, cushiony texture that was easy on the feet.

The streets were bustling with people of all kinds, from scholars and cultivators to traders and merchants. Each of them seemed to be on a mission, rushing about their business with an energy and sense of purpose that was almost infectious.

As Xia Tian and his companions made their way through the city, they passed by bustling marketplaces, serene gardens, and towering pagodas that seemed to stretch up towards the heavens themselves. The air was perfumed with exotic fragrances, and the sounds of clanging swords, chanted spells, and the roar of powerful beasts filled the air.

Despite the city's grandeur and beauty, Ye Suyin couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding in her heart. She knew that beneath the surface of this idyllic world lay a dark and dangerous realm, full of scheming cultivators, vicious beasts, and otherworldly monsters. But for now, she tried to push those thoughts aside and enjoy the wonders of Ethereal Cloud City.

Looking at some distance, she can she huge mountainous peaks, as the territory of Holy water palace started to come into eyes.

The Holy Water Palace is a sect located on the outskirts of Ethereal Cloud City. Its architecture is inspired by traditional Chinese design, with red and gold roofs that curve upwards towards the sky. The buildings are surrounded by a serene pond filled with lotus flowers, giving the sect a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere.

The sect is known for its water-based cultivation techniques, with disciples training in various forms of water manipulation and control. As a result, the palace has many water features, including fountains, streams, and waterfalls. The sound of rushing water can be heard throughout the sect, adding to the calming and tranquil ambiance.

Despite its peaceful appearance, the Holy Water Palace is not to be underestimated. Its disciples are fierce and skilled in combat, with many of them being experts in water-based martial arts. The sect is also rumored to possess powerful water-based treasures and artifacts, making it a coveted target for rival sects and cultivators seeking to increase their power.

Xia Tian, Bai Xue, and Wang Wenshu walked through the streets of Ethereal Cloud City, admiring the sights and sounds of the bustling city. Ye Suyin was with them, but her attention was captivated by the display of power she had witnessed earlier. Despite the others' lack of interest, she couldn't help but be mesmerized by it.

As they walked, Nyx suddenly appeared before them, her soft voice cutting through the air. She asked if she should call for Tian, Evelynn, and the others, but Xia Tian shook his head.

Nyx silently fell in line with the group, paying no attention to anyone else around her.

As they continued to wander the streets, Nyx began to reflect on her life.

She realized that she had never truly thought about herself and that her entire existence revolved around Xia Tian.

He was the only purpose she had to live, and she would do anything for him.

Despite having her slave seals removed, she knew she could never defy him because he was her god, the very reason for her existence.

Every laugh and every tear she had ever experienced belonged to him alone, and no one else mattered.

She was afraid of what would happen if he ever left her, or worse, if he didn't need her anymore.

Nyx knew that she had to find a way to break free from this dependence, but she didn't even know where to start.

She couldn't help but peek at his charismatic figure and whispered to herself, "Maybe I don't need to..."

Did she really need to break free from her dependency?

Probably not.

She had no reason to do so. Xia Tian was unaware of the rising feelings in her eyes, while Bai Xue was stunned to see the newly arrived lady.

The little qilin, Bai Xue, couldn't help but stare at Nyx as she blinked her large eyes continuously.

It was the first time she had seen Nyx, but she knew this woman had some relation to Irene. Both used similar illusions to hide their extraordinary appearances, and even without them, their body shapes were nearly identical.

Regardless, Bai Xue knew better than to engage in a conversation with Nyx. A person who could appear without alerting her wasn't someone she would dare to play with.

Xia Tian was feeling disappointed. Although he walked with so many beauties, he hadn't encountered any young masters at all.

It wasn't like people didn't notice his group; everyone's eyes were drawn to him.

So why hadn't anyone made the first move?

Well, if someone dared to walk with so many beauties all at once, they must have a background.

No sane man would want to offend such a group.

However, silently, dark organizations made a note of them, especially Bai Xue. She would fetch a high price in the black market.

Right when Xia Tian grew tired of sightseeing, he caught sight of a signboard with the words "Hundred Fragrance Restaurant." The delicious smell of food wafted towards him, making his mouth water. He decided to go in and try it out, hoping to find solace in the form of a delicious meal.

Ye Suyin and the others followed him inside, even Wang Wenshu felt intrigued. Having come from a small realm, she had never experienced such things. Her time in the Ancient Xia Realm was mostly spent behind closed doors with no excitement.

Earlier, she had asked Xia Tian what excuse he had made to Xia Leng for taking her along with him, but Xia Tian only shrugged without answering. In reality, he had left that task for Selene.

Little did Xia Tian know that, behind his back, Selene had pulled some strings and arranged for a rebellious clan to assassinate one of Xia Leng's concubines. As a result, Xia Leng was now at war with that clan, with no time to investigate the whereabouts of his other wives and concubines.

Fortunately for Wang Wenshu, no one in the clan noticed her disappearance. And even if they did, they wouldn't have had enough time to search for her. However, if it was Long Wanhui who had gone missing, it might have become a different case altogether.

As they stepped inside the Hundred Fragrance Restaurant, the hustle and bustle of the busy street outside faded away. The ambiance of the restaurant was serene and calming, with soft lighting and simple, elegant decor. The walls were adorned with paintings of mountains, rivers, and the natural world, evoking a sense of tranquility and peace.

The tables were made of dark wood and surrounded by comfortable chairs, inviting guests to sit down and relax. The air was thick with the aroma of fragrant herbs and spices, hinting at the restaurant's reputation for delicious cuisine. In the corner of the room, a small stage was set up, suggesting that the restaurant also featured live entertainment.

As Xia Tian and his companions took their seats, they were greeted by a friendly waiter who handed them menus. The dishes listed on the menu were exotic and intriguing, with names that hinted at the restaurant's expertise in fusion cuisine. The sound of chopsticks clinking against bowls and plates filled the air as other patrons enjoyed their meals, adding to the peaceful atmosphere of the restaurant.

As soon as they took their seats, Ye Suyin pointed towards a particular direction and said, "Look there! The one sitting in front is Su Yanling, and the second one is Huo Jingyi! Su Yanling belongs to the Su Family and is known as one of the most beautiful women among the four clans."

Xia Tian was intrigued and asked about the other top beauties in the four clans. Ye Suyin explained that each clan had its own supreme beauty: Su Yanling for the Su Clan, Li Nan's niece Li Meiling for the Li Clan after Li Nan's disappearance, Ye Suyin for the Ye Clan as there were no other female heirs, and Huo Shuirou for the Huo Clan who won the battle against her aunt Huo Jingyi.

Together, they were the four gems of the Northern Empire.

Su Yanling, Li Nan, and Huo Jingyi belonged to the same generation, while Ye Suyin, Li Meiling, and Huo Shuirou belonged to the younger generation.

Wang Wenshu couldn't help but stare at Xia Tian, smiling bitterly. "You've already got one?"

Ye Suyin fell silent, her face faintly reddening. 'What does she mean? It's not like he's on a mission to collect them all,' she thought.

Even if Xia Tian wanted to collect them all, it wouldn't be easy. He would have to offend a lot of people to do so.

Little did she know, Xia Tian never chased women. If he wanted one, he would get her. As for offending people, wasn't coming here his primary motive?

He had spotted the two beauties in the corner from outside. Knowing that trouble follows beauties, he came in as well.

Nyx had nonchalantly taken up the left side of Xia Tian's table, without bothering to ask for permission. Ye Suyin occupied the opposite end, leaving Wang Wenshu with the front seat.

However, Bai Xue was in a rather uncomfortable situation. She was forced to sit on Xia Tian's lap, and try as she might, she couldn't find the courage to say anything. Xia Tian occasionally teased her by placing his hand on her thigh, which only added to her distress.

Embarrassed by the situation, Bai Xue twisted and turned in an attempt to find a more comfortable position, but to no avail. Ye Suyin and Wang Wenshu couldn't help but notice her predicament, but chose to ignore it.

It was clear to them that Bai Xue needed to learn a lesson, and they were more than happy to let her suffer in silence.

Ye Suyin was currently trying to gather information about Wang Wenshu's daughter, Xia Ying. She was surprised to learn that Xia Tian was engaged to his half-sister, but considering all the things he had done so far, she eventually got used to it. Still, she wanted to know how Xia Ying reacted to the news.

Su Yanling and Huo Jingyi glanced in their direction, intrigued by the auspicious group. They recognized Ye Suyin, but the rest of the figures were unfamiliar to them. For now, they decided to focus on their discussion.

However, Su Yanling couldn't resist peeking occasionally at Xia Tian's direction. To her, he resembled a prince charming from the fairytales she read as a child. She was completely unaware of his true nature.

After finishing her discussion with Huo Jingyi, Su Yanling even planned to approach their group. As one of the wealthiest people in the southern empire, she believed that she could attract Xia Tian to her side by offering enough resources.

Although Bai Xue and Wang Wenshu's appearance took her by surprise, as they were stunning enough to be included in the list of the gems of the empire, Ye Suyin wondered where these people actually came from.

Were they from the Southern Empire?

Xia Tian, surrounded by all these beauties, had become the center of attention, reveling in the adoration.

He occasionally waved his hands at others, justifying his narcissistic behavior. However, as soon as people caught on to his antics, they quickly averted their eyes, no longer interested.

As the owner was present, no one dared to make noise.

The Hundred Fragrance Restaurant was owned by Su Yanling, who was quite famous in the empire. She had left her clan a long time ago due to some conflicts related to resources, and went around to establish herself.

Many had laughed at her innocent attempt to rebel, but today she was the wealthiest person known in the empire, other than the imperial family.

The Su Clan was forced to accept Su Yanling once again and even had to borrow funds from her occasionally.

However, despite their attempts to bring her back to the clan's fold, she refused to live within their premises, citing that she had abandoned them once and wouldn't step foot in again.

Her story became famous among the younger generation as the biggest face slap in the empire's history.

Many admired her for her determination and resilience in the face of adversity, while others envied her wealth and success.

As Xia Tian scanned the bustling restaurant, he couldn't help but feel amused by Su Yanling's remarkable success story.

Her achievements had become an inspiration to many, but for Xia Tian, they were a new belief to break, and a new toy to play.

Su Yanling shivered, sensing the intense gaze of someone she couldn't escape from.

Unaware of Xia Tian's true intentions, she continued to focus on her business, oblivious to the danger lurking nearby.